Volunteer Programs

The St. Louis Park Police Department offers a number of ways for community members to volunteer and get involved.

Police Advisory Commission

The Police Advisory Commission was formed to increase awareness of police department capabilities and services, provide an opportunity for citizen involvement and input in police services, and encourage positive interactions between the department and community.

Police Multicultural Advisory Committee

The Police Multicultural Advisory Committee (PMAC) meets monthly with police staff to discuss topics important to their communities. The meetings improve communication and mutual understanding between police and the community.

Chaplaincy program

In 2005, the St. Louis Park Chaplaincy Program was formed and has since become an increasingly important part of the emergency personnel community and city. Currently, the program has seven chaplains who volunteer their time and are available as professional, non-denominational resources that provide confidential spiritual guidance and counseling.

Some scenarios where chaplains may assist include:

Death notices for individuals who have lost a family member

Family disturbances

Lonely and despondent persons

Alcohol and drug abuse problems

Suicide attempts

Spiritual assistance and guidance to crime victims, injured persons and family

Liaison with community clergy

To learn more about the program, please contact the police department at 952.924.2600.

Police explorers program

The St. Louis Park Police Explorers is one of the longest running Law Enforcement Explorer posts in the nation. The volunteer program offers youth ages 14 to 21 a chance to learn firsthand the duties and responsibilities of police officers. Explorers meet every Tuesday evening throughout the year to participate in role playing, class study and social exercises related to a career in law enforcement. Explorers also volunteer at local community events with the police officers.

To apply the information they have learned, explorers are given the opportunity to participate in competitions and mock situations at the Minnesota Law Enforcement Conference each year. National conferences are also held every other year. Fundraising is done to cover much of the training equipment, competition and travel expenses. There may be some additional costs associated with competitions in other cities or states.

If you are interested in learning more about the program, please contact the police department at 952.924.2600 and ask to speak with an explorer advisor.

Police reserves

The St. Louis Park Police Department Reserves unit is made up of 15 – 25 volunteers who range in age from 20 to over 60. Every year, they donate roughly 1,000 hours of volunteer services to assist with night patrols and city events, including Fourth of July festival, National Night Out, school carnivals, D.A.R.E. graduations and more.

Reserves are not licensed officers and are not authorized to carry firearms. We require a minimum of 10 hours a month per reserve officer and attendance of monthly meetings.

Interested participants must meet the following minimum requirements:

All members must be at least 20 years of age and be a U.S. citizen.

Applicants must pass a criminal records check and not have any criminal convictions.

Have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record.

High school graduate or equivalent.

Must be in good physical condition.

Members are required to complete the reserve officer's training through the St. Louis Park Police Department. Once they have gone through the training, new members are placed on probation for one year.

Neighborhood watch block captains

Neighborhood watch is a voluntary program aimed at reducing your likelihood of becoming a crime victim. It works by teaching simple, yet proven crime prevention techniques and by building relationships between neighbors and the St. Louis Park Police Department.

Block captains help maintain the safety and well-being of their neighborhood by coordinating neighborhood watch activities for their block. These activities include:

Serving as liaison between the block and the police department.

Organizing their block's annual National Night Out block party.

Hosting crime prevention meetings.

Distributing newsletters and crime alerts.

Attending the annual block captains' meeting.

In exchange for their service, block captains report an increased sense of neighborhood pride and improved relationships. If you would like to volunteer to be a block captain or want more information, call Community Outreach Officer Ken Sysko at 952.924.2661, or complete the neighborhood watch block captain application.

Block captains must be St. Louis Park residents and at least 18 years old.